Hives, medically known as urticaria, are reddish swollen patches or welts on your skin. Most people who have hives inherited this chronic condition from their parents. In these cases, stress, hormonal changes, and some infections can trigger hives, but outbreaks may also appear now and then for no known reason.

Some people who are prone to hives have outbreaks after they’ve been exposed to an allergen. The most common allergic triggers for hives include foods (especially shellfish, nuts, chocolate, and eggs), insect bites or stings, and certain medications (most often aspirin and antibiotics like penicillin).

What to look for

A welt (sometimes called a wheal) will appear with hives. It can be as small as a dime or as large as a dinner plate, and can appear anywhere on your body. In most cases, an individual welt comes and goes within 24 hours, but additional welts may continue to appear for as long as a few days, several weeks, or — in extreme cases — years. In addition to the telltale reddish spots, people who have hives may experience itching, burning, and swelling in the affected area. Swelling of the joints, hands, and feet is also common during a hives outbreak.

When to get medical help

A dangerous swelling of the airways can accompany the swelling of hives on your skin. If untreated, this can close your airway. Go to the emergency room right away if you notice any difficulty breathing or swallowing during an outbreak of hives.
In the vast majority of instances, hives are minor and rarely require a trip to the doctor. On the other hand, hives can be a symptom of an underlying condition that needs medical attention. If you suspect your hives may be caused by a reaction to new medication, talk to your doctor right away. Don’t stop taking the medication without his or her knowledge, though.

What you can do

If hives occur due to allergies, avoid your triggers to prevent future outbreaks. Food allergies can be especially hard to diagnose. Your health care provider can be a valuable resource to help identify your particular triggers. Some common allergens that trigger hives include the following:

• Food allergies (especially to shellfish, nuts, eggs, and peanuts)
• Insect bites
• Environmental allergens such as plants, animal dander, and pollen
• Allergic reactions to medication (especially aspirin, certain blood pressure medication, and antibiotics like penicillin)

If you do have an outbreak, an over-the-counter antihistamine may be your best bet for reducing its effects. Over-the-counter drugs should never be used for long-term relief, however. If you experience chronic hives, your doctor can prescribe an antihistamine or oral corticosteroid to help prevent outbreaks.

For temporary relief from itching, try applying witch hazel or calamine lotion to the affected areas. Bathing in lukewarm water and baking soda can also help alleviate symptoms. Also discuss with your health care provider other tricks that may help relieve the typical outbreak.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 22nd, 2007 at 9:43 am and is filed under Skin Concerns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.